What Happens When Your Axle Breaks? - Rum River Automotive

The answer to this question is relatively simple. If a car axle breaks, you won't be traveling very far at all! If your car shocks or struts are becoming worn, hitting a bump or pothole in the road could cause damage to the car axles. It could even cause them to break. Because axles are constantly rotating and flexing to accommodate different road conditions, they can wear out and fail.

Axles are involved in the steering, driving, and braking of the vehicle, linking the power from the engine to the tires, plus carrying the whole weight of the vehicle and its components. The performance of your vehicle's wheels and suspension system is basically dependent on the condition of the axles. If an axle is bad, it puts extra stress on the shocks or struts, causing them to wear out prematurely. Bad axles can also result in excessive wear on your tires.

Even though most people don’t keep a vehicle long enough for a car axle to break, it’s still good to know what happens when your axle breaks. Here are some fairly obvious signs:

• A sudden clunking sound heard when you put your vehicle into gear
• Feel vibrations while driving straight, braking, or going around a curve or bend.
• Power is not being transmitted from the engine to the wheels.

You may also be wondering what causes a broken axle:

• Overload. When there is too much cargo or too many passengers, the axles may not have enough strength to hold the weight of the vehicle.
• Metal fatigue. As cars age, axles become more brittle and/or rusty, reducing their strength.
• Road conditions. Again, because axles carry the weight of the vehicle, excessive stress and force caused by bumps in the road or potholes can cause axles to break.

So that your vehicle will keep performing as it should, schedule regular inspection of the suspension system to make sure it is in good shape, especially the axles and shocks or struts.

What happens when your axle breaks? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information suspension systems and to schedule an appointment to inspect the axles and shocks or struts. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.

About the Author

Troy Minske

Owner – Rum River Automotive, Princeton, MN

Troy Minske is the founder and owner of Rum River Automotive in Princeton, MN. With over 25 years of automotive expertise, Troy shares essential car care advice driven by honest diagnostics and community-focused service.

View Troy's Full Profile →

The answer to this question is relatively simple. If a car axle breaks, you won't be traveling very far at all! If your car shocks or struts are becoming worn, hitting a bump or pothole in the road could cause damage to the car axles. It could even cause them to break. Because axles are constantly rotating and flexing to accommodate different road conditions, they can wear out and fail.

Axles are involved in the steering, driving, and braking of the vehicle, linking the power from the engine to the tires, plus carrying the whole weight of the vehicle and its components. The performance of your vehicle's wheels and suspension system is basically dependent on the condition of the axles. If an axle is bad, it puts extra stress on the shocks or struts, causing them to wear out prematurely. Bad axles can also result in excessive wear on your tires.

Even though most people don’t keep a vehicle long enough for a car axle to break, it’s still good to know what happens when your axle breaks. Here are some fairly obvious signs:

• A sudden clunking sound heard when you put your vehicle into gear
• Feel vibrations while driving straight, braking, or going around a curve or bend.
• Power is not being transmitted from the engine to the wheels.

You may also be wondering what causes a broken axle:

• Overload. When there is too much cargo or too many passengers, the axles may not have enough strength to hold the weight of the vehicle.
• Metal fatigue. As cars age, axles become more brittle and/or rusty, reducing their strength.
• Road conditions. Again, because axles carry the weight of the vehicle, excessive stress and force caused by bumps in the road or potholes can cause axles to break.

So that your vehicle will keep performing as it should, schedule regular inspection of the suspension system to make sure it is in good shape, especially the axles and shocks or struts.

What happens when your axle breaks? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information suspension systems and to schedule an appointment to inspect the axles and shocks or struts. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.

About the Author

Troy Minske

Owner – Rum River Automotive, Princeton, MN

Troy Minske is the founder and owner of Rum River Automotive in Princeton, MN. With over 25 years of automotive expertise, Troy shares essential car care advice driven by honest diagnostics and community-focused service.

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